Three Important Lessons at 33 Years

Today is my 33rd birthday. Hard to believe that I have made it to the age where Jesus was crucified. I don’t know if I’ll have the same fate, but I know that God destined me for greatness.

I must walk in his way to know what my purpose in life is. After all, we were told by the Prophet Jeremiah that each of us was formed in the womb and was known to him (Jeremiah 1:6).  

As I celebrate my 33rd birthday and look back on my life so far, I have had three lessons that I have learned that I can tell my younger self or even someone younger than me.

Always Stay and Act Catholic

I have seen many of my classmates and peers place their Catholic roots in the backburner like it means nothing to them. To me, it is a red flag. A friend posted a meme of a coffin being carried in church with the caption, “Go to church. Don’t wait until you’re dead for others to bring you there” or something along those lines. My Catholic faith has grounded me. It has been a challenge to maintain faith.

Even a recent encounter with my 3rd and 6th-grade teacher noticed that I continue my devoutness with my faith. Staying true to the Catholic faith is a long and inspiring journey. The end game of this provocative journey is for one to become a saint.

No Shame in Asking for Help

I always have been afraid or bashful to ask for help. Even my parents would call me out on this from time to time. Asking for help is an act of humility. We all don’t have the answers to everything in life. Every so often, we can get stuck on something that can be a roadblock in our professional or spiritual development that needs seeking advice. Sometimes a second or third opinion can help in better discerning a decision.

It's Okay to Stand Out

Like Jesus, we are all not called to be a part of this temporary culture and that is okay. Instead, when we embrace God’s call to stand out, the world can be set on fire with our love for God. Yes, we will be ridiculed by others. We will be betrayed, the subject of gossip (it not only exists in the fake news media), and many insults, but our gaze and focus should be on heaven.

For my birthday to anyone reading this, I ask that you pray for me, the church, those who have sin against it through their apathy and ignorance, those seeking to come home, God’s fallen away children, the unborn, the forgotten souls in purgatory, the conversion of those who promote abortion, gay marriage, and liturgical abuse (looking at you, Cardinals Stupich Gregory {though you’re retiring soon} and many others), and most importantly what is God’s will for my life.

Here's to another year of life.